British crystals are so underrated. Come with me to discover some of the magical crystals, minerals and gemstones found in Britain that most people don’t know about.
Firstly, this isn’t a definitive list, it’s based on my personal collection and what I know most about. Because I live in England, many of these stones are from my country. Hopefully, you know by now I don’t talk about crystals I don’t have in my collection and have no real experience with.
The listed metaphysical benefits of a few of these more unusual stones is hard to find, so most of what I share is from my experience and what the crystal tells me. Take what resonates.
British Crystal & Minerals
Britain is a small place. Because of this, we don’t have a huge variety of minerals here, like in the US, for example. However, some crystals are mined here. Some of them we all know and others you may not have heard of.
It’s easy to find Milky Quartz (AKA White or Snow Quartz) here as pebbles on the coast and near rivers and lakes. Agate is also fairly common here. I’ve learned that lots of different colours of Fluorite are mined in England.
Garnets are found in Scotland. Some rare gemstones have been found in the Scottish mountains. It’s worth adding, we have a lot of fossils here too (more on that later).
Why Crystals Here Feel Special
The British Isles are steeped in folklore, myth, legend and sacred sites. The UK is covered in ley lines, stone circles, ancient ruins and castles. I believe stones carry the energy and history of the place they are found. Let’s explore these British crystals and gemstones:
1. BLUE JOHN
This is a violet, white and yellow form of banded Fluorite. The story goes that the Romans first discovered it while mining for Tin near the Shivering Mountain in Derbyshire, England. Because of its single source it is very rare and can be expensive. Usually, it’s used for jewellery.
Crystal Healing: High vibration, Arthurian, Psychic insight, Spiritual power, Cleansing
2. LUXULLIANITE
This is a mixture of pink-orange Granite with black Tourmaline inclusions, found in Luxulyan, not far from the beautiful coast of Cornwall in the South West of England. This stone is still new to me; it has a beautiful crackled texture and is very tactile to hold.
Crystal Healing: Empath protection, Emotional healing, Trauma, Heart chakra healing, Determination
3. PRESELI BLUESTONE
This is a form of Spotted Dolerite from the Preseli Mountains in Wales. It’s interesting that this distant location was the source of some of the smaller stones used in the sacred site of Stonehenge, England. The legend goes that Merlin transported the stones to England by magic. Preseli Bluestone has a more greenish colour to me.
Crystal Healing: Grounding, healing, psychic protection, Druid wisdom, Patience
4. WHITBY JET
This is Jet from Whitby, on the coast of Yorkshire, England. This seaside town was the setting for Bram Stoker’s gothic romance, Dracula. Jet has been worn since ancient times. Whitby Jet attracted interest from the Romans 2000 years ago who were already wearing this stone for its spiritual properties.
Crystal Healing: Grief, protection, Good luck, Ancestral healing, Loneliness support
5. LAKELANDITE
Lakelandite was formed hundreds of millions of years ago through volcanic eruptions. It is now found in the peaceful Lake District in the north of England, near the borders of Scotland. This stone consists of a combination of Basalt and Bytownite. I’m assuming few people outside the UK know of or have seen this one?
Crystal Healing: Grounding, Overcome obstacles, Mother Earth, Harmony, Calm
6. SCOTTISH GREENSTONE
These pretty white and lime green stones are found all around Scotland and the Scottish islands, like Iona (AKA Highland Marble or Iona Marble). They are a form of white Marble with streaks of Serpentine inclusions. My parents found this stone on the beach. Iona Marble was associated with the Celtic Christian Saint Columba.
Crystal Healing: Elementals/Fairies, Mermaids, Good Luck, Safe travel, Cleansing
7. PYRITE AMMONITE
These are ancient fossils of Ammonites that became mineralised with golden Pyrite over time. They have been found on the Jurassic Coast of Charmouth and Lyme Regis in Dorset, England. Although Pyrite Ammonites are pretty rare, fossil hunters do find and sell them. Please note that mine is small, only about 1.5cm.
Crystal Healing: Abundance, Success, Money management, Attract customers/clients, Good luck
8. SARSEN STONE
Sarsen stone is the name given to a form of ‘silicified sandstone‘ from England. As in Silica, the main component found in Quartz and other related crystals. The huge iconic stones of the outer circle of Stone Henge and the inner horseshoe shapes are all Sarsen Stones. This stone is also used at other English sacred sites here, like Avebury.
Crystal Healing: Goddess connection, Galactic energy, Lunar, Cleansing, Healing
Do you have any of these British crystals? I would love to hear from you in the comments below (PLEASE keep any questions you have concise and stick to this blog post topic if you want a response).
If you’re looking for help with something else then please check to see if I’ve already covered it in a blog post by searching my website:
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With gratitude,
Ethan
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Someday I will get a Scottish Greenstone! Maybe a Lakelandite, too. Very interesting. Thanks.
Glad you are interested in these stones. I do see sellers in the UK on Etsy with those
Hmm. Let me see.
Quartz: yes, from all over, including a couple of small milky crystals I picked up when I was a child, walking the family dogs with my parents near Botallack Crowns. Which is in the very south west of Cornwall, a scant few miles from Land’s End.
Jet: yes. One piece I know for certain is from Whitby, the other I’m not sure about but, since it was left to me by my Grandfather, it doesn’t matter.
Agate: possibly. A beautiful half geode of concentric banded Agate. As with one of the Jet pieces, left to me by my Grandfather. He wasn’t big on travel, so……
Pyritised Ammonite: no, but I have an Ammolite bearing one. I think they’re prettier.
Blue John: no, but I have a very attractive Weardale cube from the Rogerley Mine. It looks kinda boring until you shine some light through it… then it’s quite remarkable.
Preseli Bluestone, Iona Marble and Sarsen Stone: not been called to any of these.
I know you stated that this isn’t an exhaustive list — Serpentine from the Lizard Peninsula, anyone? The special green variety found there, at the largest deposit in mainland Britain, has now been given the specific name Lizardite. There’s also Soapstone there, at Gew Graze near Kynance Cove, Kynance Cove itself, and Coverack.
Cairngorm Smoky Quartz? Carnelian? Cornish Amethyst? There are many Feldspars in the Granite, and I’ve heard tell of an Adularia Moonstone deposit near Whitby! However I would definitely add Tourmaline which I’ve found myself in local Granite. Black, definitely, but also, so I hear and on rare occasions, green or brown.
Which of course is obviated by Luxulyanite; and thank you for getting the right spelling on that one! I’ve seen a few sites now that are misspelling it “Luxullianite”.
Love and Light.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have been back and forth with Lizardite, will probably go for it at some point!
I’d not heard of a lot of these so thank you for highlighting good old British stones. I like the saracen, that feels very grounding with an air of elemental energy.
Never owned Blue Stone as very pricey and not been attracted to that one.
Whitby Jet, again very expensive but like it in
victoriana jewellery, no I dint own any because of that. Not attracted on a spiritual level but nice in bling.
Lakelandite, drawn to this but again never hears of it before.
Do you know where to source these stones from?
They are very distinct looking and I just buy from where I see them being sold or stumble upon them. Try Etsy but I would say I would only trust buying from within the UK for these ones.
I have a piece of Jet I was told is Whitby Jet when I purchased it, but I can’t be entirely sure.
I also have a piece of Preseli Bluestone. It’s a heart shaped polished one that was a gift from the owner of the shop I get most of my crystals from. She’s a small business I’ve frequented for several years now and she adds a free crystal gift to all orders. I agree with you on the colouring. It gives more ‘green’ than ‘blue’.
I remember your Instagram post about Luxullianite, but I don’t have any myself. Yet. Likewise, I don’t have any of the others yet.
It’s hard to be sure with Jet, you just have to trust the source if it was bought in Whitby or the UK.
Hi,
What about Connemara Marble from Ireland – It is a darker green colour than the Scottish Greenstone pictured. I am wondering if it another type of the Scottish greenstone?
I dont have any but its very beautiful looking. Looks quite different from the Scottish Greenstone to me but will have similar minerals.
I loved this article! Such an interesting topic! The Luxulliante was my fave. I don’t have any of them yet!
Glad this was interesting for you
I have Quartz that’s it
I would love a piece of Blue John someday it’s a wish that came about in a strange way but I would love a piece
Yes, manifest it
Then, if you’re in the UK, go on eBay UK and look for a seller called “Silver Moon Crystals”. They’re a lovely retired couple based in Southport. They often have pieces of Blue John for sale, both raw and tumbled; I’m just waiting for ‘mine’ to come up in their listings. Their prices are very reasonable, and shipping is free; but unfortunately, owing to the prohobitive cost, they don’t ship internationally. Their Blue John does sell quickly, though, so if you can, and you find one you like, I’d advise going for it straight away.
DISCLAIMER: I do not work for Silver Moon Crystals, eBay or indeed anyone at all, and I have not, do not and will not benefit in any way whatsoever for posting this: I’ve been a customer of Silver Moon for about ten years, and I’ve never had any type of problem with them. Hence the recommendation.
Love and Light.
Thank you for the shop recommendation!!!
No problem. I forgot to mention, they don’t auction anything, they only do Buy It Now sales, so no worries about bidding and missing out.